Giving your life to Jesus isn't a

"one and done" deal.

For many of us we first come to Jesus as a savior.

We received the forgiveness of our sins and the promise of eternal life.

Perhaps next, out of gratitude,

we make Jesus our Lord.

We seek to honor him with every area of our lives.

But for some the journey is still not over.

As we follow Jesus we pick up the mantle of his mission,

and join in the "ministry of reconciliation."

"All this is from God,

who reconciled us to himself through Christ

and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."

2 Corinthians 5:18

This Sunday we'll look at, what form many, is the third conversion-

embracing our role in the ministry of reconciliation and becoming ambassadors of Jesus.

"Here I am, Great I AM."

God said to Moses,

"I AM who I AM."

Exodus 3:14

We all need a second chance. Or third.

While we can simply erase the past,

God does give the opportunity to start over.

In fact, God can take our experiences, even or mistakes,

and use them for his plans.

This week week look at the story of Moses and the burning bush.

It's really a story about a God of second chances:

A God who hears and sees our suffering.

A God who remembers His promises.

A God who deserves our worship.

A God who makes Himself known,

and calls us to His mission.

"Jesus snorted."

This Sunday we look into the second half of Jesus final miracle in the book of John- resurrecting Lazarus.

Just before the miracle we read in verse 33,

"(Jesus) was deeply moved in spirit and troubled."

But here's the interesting thing:

in the Greek it's one word-

Embrimaomai

It literally means to snort.

So what is that all about?

Why does Jesus "snort" at death?

More importantly, what does Jesus do about it?

Pastor Ruth Folkerts starts our Lenten series, "Focus on the Cross." 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,

did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

7 rather, he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

by becoming obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, the 40 days (excluding Sundays) that lead up to Easter. The Old Testament records acts of repentance or mourning accompanied by symbolic ash and sackcloth. Recall stories of David, Esther, Job, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel.

Why do we put ashes on our foreheads?

Ashes are a biblical reminder of our mortality: “You are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). The spreading of ashes on foreheads is a visible reminder of this. The ashes also represent sorrow and repentance for sin.

Lent is often thought of as a time to “give up” something, for example chocolate, but we sometimes forget that the intention of the fast is for repentance, remembrance, and reflection on the cross of Jesus Christ. We give up something in the flesh so that we might gain something in the spirit.

Pick up your Lent 2022 devotional and guide at church,

or download a copy from our website.

We needed help.

We cried out to God.

Nothing seemed to happen.

Ever feel like God was "a day late and a dollar short"?

This Sunday we look into our seventh and final sign

in the book of John-

The raising of Lazarus.

Ask Mary and Martha,

Jesus seemed a day late and dollar short of answering their cry for help.

But God's timing is never wrong.

And in this case,

it points us to a greater miracle,

and a greater promise.

To get to resurrection,

you have to go through the grave.

I hope you'll join us this Sunday at 9:30am.

Don't be late!

"Eyes Wide Open"

"Who sinned, this man or his parents,

that he was born blind?"

~ John 9:2

We may be offended by the question,

but we've had the thought.

"Does God punish us for sin?"

On one level the answer is "Yes."

All suffering, sickness, disease and death has, at its root, the punishing consequences of sin.

But does God actually, punitively, punish you or me for sin?

In this case, the short answer is "No."

(Insert sigh of relief!)

But there's more-

Because people do sin.

And people do suffer...

And Jesus is doing something about it.

Join us this Sunday as we look at the sixth sign in John's gospel-

Healing the man born blind.

"Walk on Water"

My kids called them water wings.

Those floatation devices you slipped onto your arms.

Fast. Easy. Safe.

But the day came when we told them,

"No more water wings allowed!"

This week we'll be looking at the story of Jesus walking on the water.

Like all the miracles, this is a sign that tells us about Jesus-

He's the creator of the cosmos,

bringing order out of chaos,

and the deliverer taking us out of captivity.

But it's also telling something about ourselves, and what Jesus is looking for from his followers-

a faith that fully trusts in him;

a faith without water wings.

"Fishers of People"

Series: Faith In Focus

Luke 5:1-11

We often ask people if they believe in God.

And we should.

It's a great question and one we all must answer.

But have you ever thought about God's belief in you?

Jesus apparently believed in the people he called to be disciples.

Despite their failures and mistakes,

he believed they could carry on his mission.

In today's lesson Jesus believes that Simon Peter has what it takes to become a fisher of people!

(Jesus) asked him,

"Do you want to get well?"

~ John 5:6

The answer seems obvious.

Of course we want to be well.

Right?

Interesting fact- 80% of illness in America is caused factors under our control:

Poor Diet.

Lack of Exercise.

Lack of Sleep.

Smoking and Drug Abuse.

It seems that many people are choosing to live "not well."

So when Jesus asks,

"Do you want to be well?"

we have to consider the miracle he offers,

and what it means for our lives.

I hope you'll join us,

in person or online,

as we look at miracle #3 in the Gospel of John.